[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 167 (Thursday, December 16, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2167-E2168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTERNATIONAL PROTECTING GIRLS BY PREVENTING CHILD MARRIAGE ACT OF 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 15, 2010

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 
987, the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage 
Act. I'd like to thank Congresswoman McCollum and Senator Durbin for 
introducing this legislation and for their longstanding leadership on 
this issue.
  Child marriage is a true tragedy, as well as a serious human rights 
violation. Sixty million girls worldwide, some as young as eight years 
old, have been forced into early marriage. Child brides have little, if 
any, control over their lives, their bodies, and their futures. Not 
only do girls forced into early marriage lose the opportunity to attend 
school and develop as children, they also face serious health 
consequences and substantially higher rates of domestic violence.
  Girls who are married at a young age are also typically forced into 
early sexual activity, but their bodies are not physically suited for 
giving birth. According to the International Center for Research on 
Women, pregnancy is the leading cause of death worldwide for girls aged 
15-19.
  Child marriage is often linked to a lack of education, opportunity, 
and resources. Girls from poor households are far more likely to be 
given away as child brides; some families view it as a way to guarantee 
their daughters' future, while others see girls as an economic 
liability. Either way, studies have shown that girls who are married 
before 18 are more likely to remain poor and less likely to receive 
education.
  We need to do much more to prevent child marriage. I am an original 
cosponsor of the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child 
Marriage Act, which makes preventing child marriage an international 
priority for the U.S. Government. This legislation requires the State 
Department, as part of their annual Country Reports on Human Rights, to 
report on countries with high rates of child marriage in their annual, 
and the White House to create an action plan on combating child 
marriage.

[[Page E2168]]

  Mr. Speaker, by passing this legislation, we take an important step 
toward ending child marriage around the world, and ensuring that all 
girls have the opportunity to learn and grow as children. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.

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